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Monday, January 10, 2000

Commissioners clarify offer to city on water rate

By ROSIE FLORESStaff WriterPECOS, Jan. 10, 2000 - An item that was approved at the last Reeves
County Commissioner's Court meeting was clarified this morning.

Reeves County Commissioners met for the first time this year and Reeves
County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo clarified an item discussed during executive
session during their last meeting, and approved in the following open session,
since Town of Pecos City Mayor Dot Stafford and city council member Ricky
Herrera were both in attendance.

"Since both the mayor and a councilman are present, I want to go ahead
and clarify this issue," said Galindo, during the agenda item reports from
various departments.

Galindo stated that the item concerned both the city and the county
and had been a topic of discussion for some time.

During their last meeting commissioners agreed to offer a proposal to
the Town of Pecos City in their dispute over the water rate at the RCDC,
which is just outside the city limits. Customers outside the city that
are connected to the water line pay higher rates than those within the
city's boundaries, and the dispute stemmed from Pecos' demand that the
RCDC pay the difference between the city and county rates for past water
deliveries.

Commissioners agreed to offer the city $4 million at 1 percent interest
for 20 years in exchange for being treated as a regular (in-town) commercial
customer on water and sewer. The city would also have to fulfill what they
had already agreed on, to install water lines from Lincoln and Eddy streets
to the elevated storage tanks at the Reeves County Detention center. The
city would also continue with the parks and recreation agreement over the
same terms under the plan.

Reeves County is currently paying Pecos $3.75 per every 1,000 gallons
used at the RCDC.

"I think the county's action was misinterpreted," said Galindo.

Galindo stated that the offer the county was making was "by no means
a loan."

"What we talked about was a contribution of $4 million to the city and
that the city consider a 40 year contract with the county and for the city
to look at the RCDC like an in-city commercial customer," he said.

Galindo stated that he wanted to clarify any misinterpretations, with
the city officials on hand.

"The city will have to borrow $1.2 million in order to complete expansion
at the water field and to pump that water back," said Galindo.

"What we have offered was $4 million at 1 percent interest," said Galindo.
"It's the 1 percent, plus the $4 million," he said.

"It's very seldom that an entity can borrow at that rate," said Galindo.
"The county will borrow that money on behalf of the city," he said.

"But, it's not a loan to the city," he said. "I wanted to clarify that,
it's not a loan it's a contribution," he said.

Reeves County Commissioners approved payment invoices No. 154 and 155
to the DRG Architects who are working on the renovations at the RCDCand
reiumbursment invoice 153.

After some discussion, commissioners tabled any action on the civic
center contract and operations. Linda Gholson, Tom Rivera and the new board
president, Jeanette Alligood were on hand for the discussion.

Gholson stated that during 1999 there was a committee formed through
the chamber, as to who was responsible and the members represented all
aspects of the community, including the city chamber and rodeo committee.

"We did have a couple of meetings and afterward things that were discussed
were dealt with," Gholson said. "My big push is that we have things in
black and white," she said.

Gholson stated that at one of the meetings it was decided that the custodian
would take care of the deposit and the condition of the center. "At that
time, it was decided that the custodian would make that call," she said.

Galindo stated that in 1995-1996, they met with the chamber and decided
the chamber would streamline that, rent it and book it, with the county
and city both donating funds to the center.

"Several weeks before the rodeo, we met again and decided Road and Bridges
would handle it," said Galindo.

Galindo stated that Road and Bridges Administrator has come forward
and said it still doesn't work. "If we put it back under the umbrella of
the county, then there would be no question about user fees and deposits,"
he said.

Gholson suggested that the committee that met last year, meet again
and come back to the commissioners with their suggestions and recommendations.

"I think that would be a good idea, for the committee to meet a couple
of evenings and put it back on the agenda for the next meeting," Galindo
said.

"A lot of good things have happened out at the civic center after the
meetings," said Gholson. "And since we're on that topic, the stock show
is coming up this weekend," she said.

New chamber board president Jeannette Alligood stated that she's very
excited to be working with the county. "I think together we can make this
work," she said.

Baptist pastors swap pulpits for revival services

By PEGGY McCRACKENStaff WriterPECOS, Jan. 10, 2000 - Baptist churches throughout Pecos had a unique
experience Sunday when pastors exchanged pulpits for one day to promote
revival services each night this week at West Park Baptist, Sixth and Eddy
Sts.

Ron Garcia, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, preached the morning sermon
at West Park, while West Park's interim pastor, Rey Carreon, preached at
First Baptist.

James Henderson, House of Prayer pastor, opened the revival services
at West Park at 7 p.m. Sunday. Other Baptist pastors will take turns preaching
throughout the week, with each service beginning at 7 p.m.

Garcia will preach today. Greer Willis, First Baptist pastor, will preach
Tuesday, Bruce Dury, Christian Home director, Wednesday, Mac McCormick,
North Temple pastor, Thursday, and Carreon will close out the revival services
Friday.

"Everyone is invited to attend," said Garcia. "A nursery will be provided
for young children."

Song leaders from the different churches will lead the singing each
evening. They invite everyone who would like to sing in the choir to arrive
by 6:45 p.m.

Garcia said that the Baptist pastors and a group of laymen began about
six months ago to discuss the possibility of a city-wide spiritual revival.

"This led to a scheduled Saturday evening prayer meeting at West Park.
All were encouraged to come and pray. It soon became evident that in order
to have a city-wide revival, the local Christian churches needed to unite
as one," he said.

By this time, the group was composed of men and women from a variety
of churches.

"The felt need was to have a church revival in order to experience the
cooperation by sister churches. Then, depending upon the response by those
involved, we would proceed with plans for a city-wide evangelistic campaign,"
Garcia said.

Kenneth Winkles, a North Temple Baptist layman, has spearheaded the
effort.

"We want to get all the churches involved, not just Baptist," said Winkles.

Reeves County Appraisal District meets Wednesday

PECOS, Jan. 10, 2000 - The Board of Directors of the Reeves County Appraisal
District will meet on Wednesday, January 12, 2000 at 5:00 pm at 403 S.
Cypress.

Included on the agenda is election of 2000 officers, receipt of public
comments and Chief Appraiser's response.

Obituaries

Encarnacion Chonita Duran

Encarnacion Chonita Duran, 78, died Friday, Jan. 7, 2000, in Midland Memorial
Hospital. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic
Church in Midland, directed by Reyes-Garcia Funeral Home. Interment will
be in Fairview Cemetery in Midland.

She was born March 25, 1921 in Patrole, north of Pecos, and attended
Santa Rosa Catholic School in Pecos. During her early teens she worked
at the Brandon Hotel.

She moved to Midland with her husband, the late Santos H. Duran, in
the 1960s. She was involved in Candy Stripers, was a former president of
Head Start, a P.T.A. member, was Mrs. Lioness of the Eastside Lions Club
and a Cursillista in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

Robert Barreno

A rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m. today, at Pecos Funeral Home Chapel.

Mass is scheduled for 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 11, at Santa Rosa Catholic
Church with burial in Mt. Evergreen Cemetery.

He was born Oct. 10, 1948, in Pecos, was a U.S. Army veteran, a program
director for Corrections Corporation of America and a Catholic.

Barreno was a Pecos High School graduate, coached Pony League for several
years in Pecos, was a sports announcer for the Pecos High School baseball
games, and earned his B.A. and his Bachelors in Business from U.T.P.B.
in Odessa.

Survivors include his wife, Olivia Barreno of Arlington; one son, Robert
Barreno Jr. of Arlington; two daughters, Liz B. Lujan and Susie B. Gomez
of Pecos; his mother, Alicia Barreno of Pecos; three brothers, Raul Barreno,
Ricky Barreno and Ruben Barreno, all of Pecos; two sisters, Rachel Barreno
of Coyanosa, Becky Vasquez of El Paso; six grandchildren and numerous nieces,
nephews and cousins.

AUSTIN (AP) - Results of the Texas Million drawing Friday night: Winning
numbers drawn: 20-56-88-93. Number matching four of four in Group One:
0. Number matching four of four in Group Two: 0. Number matching four of
four in Group Three: 0. Number matching three of four in any group: 320.
Prize: $300